Ramos, Derry top 3rd District race

Wednesday

Jun 6, 2012 at 12:01 AMJun 6, 2012 at 2:28 AM

By SAM PEARSON Staff writer

Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos jumped out to a strong early lead over incumbent Neil Derry in the race for San Bernardino County 3rd District Supervisor, looking to represent some 400,000 residents in Barstow, Lucerne Valley and northeastern San Bernardino County.

Ramos had 11,138 votes, or 45.05 percent, to Derry’s 8,394, or 33.95 percent as of 10 p.m. Tuesday. San Bernardino County Airport Commissioner Jim Bagley had 5,192 votes, or 21 percent.

If any one candidate had secured more than 50 percent of the vote, he would have won the 3rd District seat Tuesday. Without that majority, the top two vote-getters will square off on the November ballot.

Derry had supported a proposed Indian gaming casino in Barstow. Ramos, whose tribe operates its own casino on its Highland reservation, said he would not oppose the project as supervisor, but would not actively support it either.

Derry had faced criticism throughout the campaign for campaign finance violations. Derry pleaded guilty to misdemeanor campaign finance violations for concealing the source of a campaign donation. Derry paid a fine of $5,820 to the Fair Political Practices Commission and $4,180 to the San Bernardino County Superior Court and had to abstain from all votes involving federal funds, including the county’s 2011 budget.

Derry sought to shift focus to Ramos, alleging that the tribal leader was a “casino boss” who would be beholden to tribal interests. Derry and Ramos could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

Bagley said he needed to wait for more results to come in before drawing conclusions about the vote.

Sam Pearson may be reached at (760) 256-4126 or SPearson@DesertDispatch.com.